Overview
Quality End-of-Life Care for Canton and Surrounding Communities
Watching a loved one suffer from a terminal illness is one of life's greatest challenges. But patients and their families don't have to face end-of-life difficulties alone. Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital's Hospice is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for terminally ill patient's and their families.
The program is physician directed and also reflects the belief that the quality of life may be enhanced by dying at home. Our hospice affirms life and neither hastens not postpones death.
Hospice and Palliative Care
Mercy Hospital’s Home Health & Hospice also works closely with our Palliative Care team, which provides total treatment to prevent and ease pain that may result from serious illness. Mercy Hospital’s Palliative Care has earned the quality award from the Supportive Care Coalition for our palliative medicine model in a diverse care setting.
Services
End-of-life Care for the Whole Person
Hospice services from Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital is directed toward physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. We focus on the quality of life and draw upon the expertise of physicians, clergy, nurses, counselors, social workers, home health aides, trained volunteers and therapists. The philosophy of hospice is reflected through the beliefs that dying is part of living and that dying persons and their families have physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs as well as a right to make decisions related to the meeting of those needs.
Home health care is provided on an intermittent basis and is available when needed 24 hours a day. Provided in the home, a skilled nursing facility, or the hospital, our hospice services include:
- Nursing care
- Pain management and symptom control
- Medication supervision and assistance
- Appropriate medical equipment and supplies
- Nutritional planning
- Household chore assistance
- Emotional and spiritual support
- Companionship and short-term respite
Our Hospice also offers free follow-up bereavement services for family members and others involved in a loved one’s end-of-life care. Private counseling sessions for individuals and families are available throughout the first year of bereavement.
Palliative Care
Help for Symptoms, Discomfort & Stress of a Serious Illness
Dealing with the symptoms of any painful or serious illness can be a difficult walk; however, special care is available to make you more comfortable. Palliative care may be given at the same time you are receiving treatment for your illness. It is a central part of treatment for serious or life-threatening illnesses.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is comprehensive treatment for the symptoms, discomfort and stress related to serious illness. The goal is to prevent and ease suffering and improve your quality of life. It does not replace your primary treatment; palliative care works together with the primary treatment.
Palliative care is different from hospice in that there are no restrictions on eligibility regarding life expectancy or continuation of aggressive medical treatment. The team strives to improve communication between patients/families and health care providers and to improve patient/family/physician support.
Palliative Care Team
The palliative care team members – consisting of a physician, certified nurse practitioner, nurses, social workers, dietitians and chaplains – work alongside your primary care physician and specialists. They spend as much time with you and your family, as needed, to help you understand your medical condition, care options, end-of-life care wishes and other needs. In most cases, palliative care is offered in the hospital setting. The process begins when your physician makes a referral to the palliative care team or you ask your doctor for a referral. Your first contact with the palliative care team will be with either a physician or a nurse.
The team’s first goal is to obtain a thorough understanding of your specific medical condition and your specific needs. Many people living with serious illnesses experience physical symptoms and emotional distress related to their disease. In coordination with you, your loved ones, and physician, a plan of care will be established.
What Happens When You Leave the Hospital?
Palliative care strives to support you and your wishes throughout the duration of your illness. In order to do that, the palliative care team may assist you to establish your wishes in legally acceptable ways, such as a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. Such documents provide for peace of mind and prevent you or your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions in the midst of a medical crisis.
Our palliative care team works with your physician to help you make a successful transition to your home, hospice or other healthcare setting. Depending upon your established plan of care, the palliative care team may continue to work with your physician and caregivers to provide complete treatment for your symptoms in the present and anticipated needs of the future.
Admissions & Referrals
How to Refer a Patient
The decision to admit a patient to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Homecare & Hospice is made by the patient/family, attending physician our Hospice medical director. Acceptance of patients for hospice service is based on a reasonable expectation that patient/family needs can be met by hospice and the hospice team.
Admission Criteria
Admission to our Hospice care is based on the following criteria:
- A life-limiting illness, as confirmed by a physician.
- An agreement between the patient, the family and the attending physician that no curative therapy is available or desired.
- A physician orders hospice services.
- The patient and the family mutually desire end-of-life care.
- The continuous availability of a family member or caregiver to ensure patient safety and comfort in the home environment.
Homebound status is not required. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans normally cover hospice services. An eligible patient is never turned away, regardless of the ability to pay.
Patient Referral
To make a referral, call Mercy Hospital Homecare & Hospice at 234.202.3223. Normal Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m, and a nurse is on-call seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
An admission nurse is available for consultation regarding hospice services.
Locations
Mercy Hospital Home Health & Hospice, LLC
4369 Whipple Ave.
Canton, Ohio 44718
234.203.3223
Our office is located in the Belden Village Springbrook Plaza in Canton.
Donations
Discover the Joy of Doing Something Memorable
Make a DonationIn lieu of flowers, consider a donation honoring a caregiver or making a gift in memory of your loved one. Your gift ensures the compassionate, spiritually-centered, holistic care you’ve come to expect from Mercy.
Extraordinary people making extraordinary gifts leave a legacy of caring for generations to come.
